Ophthalmic formulations

ABSTRACT

A topical ophthalmic formulation in the form of an aqueous solution comprising a cyclosporin, hyaluronic acid or one of its salts, and polysorbate 80 is described.

This application claims the benefit of Switzerland application 20000694/00, filed Apr. 7, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a topical ophthalmic formulation comprising acyclosporin.

Cyclosporins represent a class of nonpolar cyclic oligopeptides havingnumerous pharmacological properties.

They are more particularly known for their immunosuppressive andantiinflammatory activity, and have also been described as beingeffective in enhancing or reestablishing tear secretion by the lachrymalgland in patients suffering from immune-mediated keratoconjunctivitissicca.

Cyclosporins of natural origin which in their majority comprisecyclosporin A and in their minority the cyclosporins B to I can beobtained from the fungus Trichoderma polysporum.

Like a large number of their analogs and isomers, cyclosporins can alsobe obtained by synthesis.

The cyclosporin most widely studied and used in pharmacy among thecyclosporins is cyclosporin A.

The activity of a cyclosporin and particularly of cyclosporin A inenhancing or reestablishing tear secretion by the lachrymal gland couldbe improved by improving absorption of cyclosporin in the lachrymalgland.

For reasons of the very low solubility of cyclosporins in water (20 to30 μg/mL for cyclosporin A), it has been very difficult to prepare anophthalmic composition containing a cyclosporin dissolved in an aqueousmedium.

It is for this reason that the cyclosporins, known to be lipophilic,have mainly been used in oil-based formulations.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,342 describes a topical ophthalmic compositioncontaining a cyclosporin, particularly cyclosporin A, and an excipient,to increase tear production in patients suffering from a lack of tearsin the eyes because of a dysfunction of the lachrymal glands. Theexcipients specifically described are olive oil, peanut oil, castor oil,polyethoxylated castor oil, mineral oils, vaselines, dimethyl sulfoxide,an alcohol, liposomes, silicone oils or their mixtures.

FR-A-2,638,089 describes a topical ophthalmic composition which containsa cyclosporin as the active substance and a vegetable oil such as oliveoil, peanut oil, castor oil, sesame oil and maize germ oil as thevehicle, as well as vaseline, to treat illnesses and immunological orinflammatory conditions affecting the eye, and particularlykeratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or dry eyes.

However, the oil-based topical ophthalmic formulations havedisadvantages such as a disagreeable feeling in the eyes, or lead todim-sightedness. The oils may moreover reinforce the dry-eye symptoms.

Oil-based topical ophthalmic formulations containing cyclosporin alsoare physically unstable, because the cyclosporins tend to undergoconformational changes and to precipitate.

These formulations moreover have a poor bioavailability and low eyetolerance, which shows by an irritation of the eyes.

For the purposes of minimizing certain of the above disadvantages suchas discomfort in use, and of improving the bioavailability andtolerability of the formulation, it has been proposed in WO 95/31211 toreduce the amount of oil and disperse the oil phase in water so as toform an emulsion, which gave a topical ophthalmic formulation in theform of an emulsion based on water and on oil comprising a cyclosporinmixed with a triglyceride containing long-chain fatty acids such ascastor oil and polysorbate 80. This formulation also contains anemulsifier, for instance Pemulen®.

For the purposes of eliminating the problems of cyclosporinprecipitation while improving the bioavailability and tolerability ofthe formulation, an aqueous topical ophthalmic formulation has beenproposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,971 which is free of oil and comprises acyclosporin in a concentration of 0.01 to 0.075% (w/v), water, and asurfactant in an amount of 0.1 to 3% (w/v) intended to improve thesolubility of the cyclosporin in water and selected among thepolyethoxylated fatty acid esters, the polyethoxylated alkylphenylethers, the polyethoxylated alkyl ethers and their mixtures. Accordingto U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,971, it has been found that polysorbate 80, alsoknown as Tween 80, is inappropriate as a surfactant, because it lacks anactivity sufficiently high to solubilize a cyclosporin in the desiredconcentrations in water.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the aim of the present invention to eliminate the abovedisadvantages and particularly the problems of physical stability, andabove all to improve the bioavailability of the formulation in theconjunctiva, cornea, and lachrymal gland as well as the eye tolerance ofthe formulation, by providing a water-based topical ophthalmicformulation containing a cyclosporin.

This aim was achieved when the inventors had found that the presence ofhyaluronic acid and of polysorbate 80 in an aqueous ophthalmicformulation containing cyclosporin surprisingly permitted to solubilizethe cyclosporin while improving the bioavailability of the formulationin the conjunctiva, cornea, and lachrymal gland and eye tolerance of theformulation when this formulation is administered topically in the eyes.

Hyaluronic acid is a mucopolysaccharide of biological origin widelydistributed in nature. It is present in particular in different animaltissues such as the umbilical cords, the synovial fluid, the vitreousbody, the cockscombs and various conjunctive tissues such as the skinand the cartilage.

Chemically speaking, hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan and composedof alternating, repeating groups of D-glucuronic acid andN-acetyl-D-glucosamine forming a linear chain having a molecular weightas high as 13×10⁶ daltons.

The pharmaceutical use of hyaluronic acid or one of its salts, andparticularly of sodium hyaluronate, has been widely described in theliterature. Since hyaluronic acid or its salts are nonimmunogenicsubstances and have hydrophilic and viscoelastic properties, they havebeen used for a number of years as substitute for the eye's vitreousfluid or as a supporting medium in eye surgery, as described for examplein U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,973.

Other applications of hyaluronic acid in ophthalmology have also beendescribed.

Thus, EP-A-0,698,388 describes an aqueous ophthalmic compositioncomprising a salt of hyaluronic acid at a concentration of 0.05 to 2% asan agent increasing the viscosity, to be used as artificial tears.

WO-A-89/017772 describes an oil-based topical ophthalmic compositioncontaining a cyclosporin, intended to enhance or reestablish tearsecretion by the lachrymal gland. Hyaluronic acid is cited in a list ofproducts that can be incorporated into the formulation as additives oradditional active agents.

According to a first aspect, the subject of the present invention is awater-based topical ophthalmic formulation comprising a cyclosporin,hyaluronic acid or one of its salts, and polysorbate 80.

According to a second aspect, the subject of the present invention isthe use of a cyclosporin in association with hyaluronic acid or one ofits salts and with polysorbate 80 in preparing a water-based formulationintended for a topical ophthalmic utilization.

The present invention thus provides an ophthalmic formulation in theform of an aqueous solution in which the cyclosporin is solubilized in amicellar form, a formulation which is stable and has a goodbioavailability in the conjunctiva, the cornea, the lachrymal gland andthe aqueous humor as well as an eye tolerance considerably improved overthose in a formulation where the cyclosporin is solubilized in awater-oil emulsion.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the present application, the term “cyclosporin” is to be understoodto include whatever individual member of the class of cyclosporins andtheir mixtures, unless a particular cyclosporin is specified.

It must also be noted that in the present application, the term“hyaluronic acid” indifferently means the hyaluronic acid in its acidform or in the form of one of its salts.

In conformity with the present invention, the formulation of the presentinvention contains a cyclosporin, hyaluronic acid or one of its salts,and polysorbate 80.

The formulation according to the present invention preferably comprises0.02 to 2% by weight of cyclosporin, 0.01 to 2% by weight of hyaluronicacid or one of its salts, and 0.5 to 40% by weight of polysorbate 80,based on the formulation's total weight.

The cyclosporins that may be contained in the formulation of the presentinvention can be of natural or synthetic origin.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cyclosporin contained in theformulation is a cyclosporin A.

One cyclosporin A that can be used to prepare the formulation of thepresent invention is for instance a commercial cyclosporin A furnishedby SIGMA in Switzerland.

The hyaluronic acid contained in the formulation can be, either in itsacid form or in the form of one of its salts such as an alkali metal oralkaline-earth metal hyaluronate, for instance sodium hyaluronate,potassium hyaluronate, magnesium hyaluronate, calcium hyaluronate orothers.

The hyaluronic acid or its salt preferably have a weight-averagemolecular weight that is not below 1,000,000 daltons, more preferably aweight-average molecular weight in the region of 1,300,000 to 3,000,000daltons. The molecular weight is preferably about 1,700,000 daltons.

Preferably the hyaluronic acid is in the form of sodium hyaluronate.

Polysorbate 80, also known as Tween 80, is a polyethoxylated sorbitanmonooleate known for its uses as a surfactant.

A polysorbate 80 that can be used to prepare the formulation of thepresent invention is for instance a commercial polysorbate 80 furnishedfor instance by SIGMA.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprises 0.2%by weight of cyclosporin A, 0.1% by weight of hyaluronic acid and 5% byweight of polysorbate 80, based on the formulation's total weight.

The formulation of the present invention can moreover contain additivessuch as sorbitol, which is used as an isosmotic agent. Sorbitol has theadvantage of having a hydrodynamic volume larger than that of NaCl forinstance. Other possible additives are mannitol, polyalcohols and thechlorides of sodium and potassium.

For the formulation of the present invention to be physiologicallyacceptable, it should preferably have a pH in the range from 6.5 to 7.5and an osmolality in the range from 290 to 310 mosm/L, preferably 300mosm/L.

The formulation of the present invention can be packaged as singledoses.

The topical formulation of the present invention is administered intothe eye in the form of drops, and is useful for enhancing orreestablishing the secretion of tears by the lachrymal gland, and alsofor stimulating or reestablishing the activity of the lachrymal gland,particularly in patients suffering from keratoconjunctivitis sicca,dry-eye syndrome, Sjögren syndrome, chronic vernal keratoconjunctivitis,and as post-operative prophylactic in keratoplasty.

The following examples are intended to illustrate the present inventionand its advantages. They must in no case be considered as limiting thescope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Examples of formulations in conformity with the present invention arepresented in Table 1 below.

The formulation Ref. 1 is a reference formulation not containingcyclosporin.

TABLE 1 Formulation Constituents 1 2 3 4 5 Ref. 1 Cyclosporin A (%) 0.020.10 0.20 0.50 2.00 — Sodium hyaluronate (%) 0.05 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.200.10 Tween 80 (%) 0.05 2.50 5.00 10.00  20.00  5.00 Na₂HPO₄.12H₂O (%)0.08 0.08 0.08 0.10 0.15 0.08 Sorbitol (%) 5.46 5.35 5.16 4.70 3.76 5.25Purified water added to 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL pH7.0-7.4 7.0-7.4 7.0-7.4 7.0-7.4 7.3-7.4 7.0-7.4 mosm/L 295-305 295-305295-305 295-305 295-305 295-305

The formulations 1 to 5 and Ref. 1 have been subjected to tests in orderto evaluate their eye tolerance, and formulations 1 to 5 have beensubjected to a stability test.

Eye Tolerance of Formulations 1 to 5 and Ref. 1

The evaluation of local tolerability of the formulations 1 to 5 and Ref.1 has been performed with albino rabbits from New Zealand (six for eachgroup, three males and three females), to whom 12 instillations of 0.1mL each of the formulation to be tested have been administered in30-minute intervals into the right conjunctival arcade.

The condition of the eye tissues was evaluated in conformity with theDraize test (S. C. Gad and C. P. Chengelis, “Ocular Irritation Test”, inAcute Toxicology Testing, Telford Press, Caldewell N.J. USA, pp. 51-80).The test was performed 30 min after the last instillation. The readingswere taken by two observers totally ignorant about the treatment whoattributed arbitrary points for the condition of the conjunctiva(palpebral and bulbar), the cornea and the iris.

The treated eye also was subjected to a test with fluorescein accordingto the following procedure. Forty minutes after the last instillation ofthe formulation being tested, and after the Draize test, a solutioncontaining 2% of fluorescein in physiological saline was instilled intothe eye to be treated, and the excess of fluorescein eliminated bywashing the eye with sterile physiological saline. The eye tissues arethen carefully observed in order to evaluate the quantity of fluoresceinthat had been absorbed. With this evaluation, for which a slit lamp wasused, it could be shown that all formulations had good tolerability,that is, the formulations 1 to 5 containing cyclosporin A and theformulation Ref. 1 not containing cyclosporin A.

In the Draize test the cornea and the iris always exhibited a normalaspect. The conjunctiva was found to be normal without edema orsecretion, except that in each of the three groups of rabbits treatedwith formulations 3, 4, and 5 containing 0.20, 0.5 and 2% cyclosporin A,respectively, two out of six treated eyes exhibited a hyperemia of thevessels in the central region, which according to the evaluation testcorresponds to an even better tolerability.

In the fluorescein test, there was no difference between the differentformulations; none of the eyes treated had absorbed the fluorescein.

Stability of Formulations 1 to 5 of the Present Invention

All formulations were found to be stable at ambient temperature, and aprecipitation of cyclosporin A occurred in none of the formulations 1 to5 within the 12 months following preparation of the formulation.

Formulation 3 of the present invention has subsequently be compared withan oil-water type emulsion with respect to the bioavailability ofcyclosporin A in the eye tissues and to eye tolerability.

Comparison between Formulation 3 of the Present Invention and anOil-water Type Emulsion

Formulation 3 of the present invention was compared with an oil-wateremulsion called CYCLOIL, which is a formulation according to patentapplication WO-A-95/31211, with respect to eye tolerability and thebioavailability of cyclosporin A in the eye tissues.

The compositions of these two formulations are summarized in thefollowing Table 2.

TABLE 2 Formulation Constituents 3 CYCLOIL Cyclosporin A (%) 0.20 0.20Sodium hyaluronate (%) 0.10 — Castor oil (%) — 1.25 Tween 80 (%) 5.001.00 Glycerol (%) — 2.00 Pemulen ® TR-2 (%) — 0.05 Na₂HPO₄.12H₂O (%)0.08 — Sorbitol (%) 5.16 — Purified water added to 100 mL 100 mL pH7.0-7.4 7.0-7.4 mosm/L 295-305 290-310

Ocular Bioavailability

In this experiment the concentrations of cyclosporin A were determinedin the conjunctiva, the cornea, the aqueous humor and the lachrymalgland after topical administration of the two formulations, viz.,Formulation 3 of the present invention and CYCLOIL.

The tests were performed with male albino rabbits from New Zealand. Therabbits were divided into two groups of 15 rabbits and treated in botheyes with 50 μL per eye, with the two formulations to be tested.Conjunctiva, cornea, aqueous humor and lachrymal gland were sampled 1,3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after instillation, each time from three rabbitsof the two groups, after sacrificing the animals. The eyes wereenucleated and washed with physiological saline before taking aqueoushumor (about 400 μL), cornea (about 120 mg), conjunctiva (about 120 mg),and lachrymal gland (about 800 mg).

The quantitative determination of cyclosporin A was realized byinverse-phase HPLC with isocratic elution and UV-spectroscopicdetection. The chromatograph was a Varian instrument, thechromatographic conditions were as follows:

column: C18.60 × 4.6 mm, 3 μm (Alltech) mobile phase:acetonitrile/isopropanol/H₂O (66/2/32) flow velocity: 0.7 mL/min columntemperature: 72° C. detection: UV 205 nm (0.1-0.002 AUFS) injectionvolume: 25-50 μL retention time: 9.1 min

The samples to be chromatographed were prepared as follows:

Aqueous Humor

To 300 μL of the aqueous humor 150 μL of acetonitrile were added and thesolution thus obtained was vortex-agitated for about 1 min, then it wascentrifuged during 3 min at 3000 g. The supematent was transferred to abottle, treated with 15 mg ZnSO₄ and 15 mg CdSO₄, vortex-agitated during1 min, and centrifuged during 2 in at 2000 g. The organic phase wasfiltered through 0.45 μm, and 50 to 75 μL were injected into the column.

Cornea, Conjunctiva and Lachrymal Gland

The tissues were exactly weighed, homogeneized in the cold with methanol(about 1.0 mL), centrifuged at 3000 g during 15 min, the supernatent wastaken up with methanol (about 1 mL) and dried under vacuum at about 40°C., the residue was taken up with acetonitrile (150 μL), treated withanhydrous (NH₄)₂SO₄, vortex-agitated for 1 min, and centrifuged during 2min at 2000 g. The organic phase was filtered through 0.45 μm, and 50 to75 μL were injected into the column.

Analytical Method

The concentrations of cyclosporin A in the conjunctiva, cornea,lachrymal gland and aqueous humor of the rabbits are presented in Tables3 to 6.

Concentrations of Cyclosporin A in the Conjunctiva

Table 3 below shows the concentrations (ng/g) of cyclosporin A in theconjunctiva of rabbits treated with Formulation 3 of the presentinvention and with CYCLOIL, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after instillationof 50 μL into the conjunctival sac of both eyes.

TABLE 3 Formulation 3 CYCLOIL (invention) (comparison) concentration 1 hafter 1170 ± 170 820 ± 155 instillation (ng/g) concentration 3 hoursafter  900 ± 215 713 ± 187 instillation (ng/g) concentration 6 hoursafter  616 ± 102 370 ± 78  instillation (ng/g) concentration 12 hours502 ± 95 250 ± 70  after instillation (ng/g) concentration 24 hours 198± 40 75 ± 25 after instillation (ng/g) AUC₀₋₂₄ (ng g⁻¹ h⁻¹) 12483 ± 234 7378 ± 1891 C_(max) (ng/g) 1170 ± 170 820 ± 155 T_(max) (hours) 1 1

One can see from Table 3 above that Formulation 3 of the presentinvention guarantees a better bioavailability of cyclosporin in theconjunctiva at all points in time where samples were taken, as comparedto the formulation CYCLOIL.

The maximum concentration is found after the first hour, although onemay suppose that the highest absolute cyclosporin concentrations in theconjunctiva would be found just after instillation.

The water-based Formulation 3 of the present invention guaranteescyclosporin A concentrations which in all samples are always higher thanthose with the water-oil emulsion CYCLOIL.

The AUC (areas under the curve) are 12483±234 ng g⁻¹h⁻¹ for Formulation3 of the present invention, and 7378±1891 ng g⁻¹ h⁻¹ for the oil-wateremulsion CYCLOIL.

The same results are obtained in the cornea.

Cyclosporin A concentrations in the Cornea

Table 4 shows cyclosporin A concentrations (ng/g) in the cornea ofrabbits treated with Formulation 3 of the present invention and withoil-based CYCLOIL, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after instillation of 50 μLinto the conjunctival sac of both eyes.

TABLE 4 Formulation 3 CYCLOIL (invention) (comparison) concentration 1hour after 2995 ± 750  2070 ± 1115 instillation (ng/g) concentration 3hours after 3350 ± 920 1991 ± 630 instillation (ng/g) concentration 6hours after 2520 ± 870 2420 ± 870 instillation (ng/g) concentration 12hours 2228 ± 490 1825 ± 690 after instillation (ng/g) concentration 24hours 1590 ± 220  450 ± 190 after instillation (ng/g) AUC₀₋₂₄ (ng g⁻¹h⁻¹)  53800 ± 13070 38097 ± 1397 C_(max) (ng/g) 3350 ± 920 2420 ± 870T_(max) (hours) 3 6

It can be seen from Table 4 above that the maximum concentration of themedicine is obtained after the third hour with Formulation 3 of thepresent invention (3350±920 ng/g), and after the sixth hour with CYCLOIL(2420±870 ng/g).

The water-based Formulation 3 of the present invention guaranteescyclosporin A concentrations which in all samples are always higher thanthose with the oil-water emulsion CYCLOIL.

Cyclosporin A Concentrations in the Lachrymal Gland

Table 5 shows the cyclosporin A concentrations (ng/g) in the lachrymalgland of rabbits treated with Formulation 3 of the present invention andwith oil-based CYCLOIL, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after instillation of50 μL into the conjunctival sac of both eyes.

TABLE 5 Formulation 3 CYCLOIL (invention) (comparison) concentration 1hour after  88 ± 29 22 ± 10 instillation (ng/g) concentration 3 hoursafter 149 ± 45 42 ± 16 instillation (ng/g) concentration 6 hours after135 ± 33 53 ± 18 instillation (ng/g) concentration 12 hours  54 ± 22 21± 10 after instillation (ng/g) concentration 24 hours  38 ± 19 17 ± 10after instillation (ng/g) AUC₀₋₂₄ (ng g⁻¹ h⁻¹) 1826 ± 616 668 ± 286C_(max) (ng/g) 149 ± 45 53 ± 18 T_(max) (hours) 3 6

The water-based Formulation 3 of the present invention shows a maximumconcentration of cyclosporin A after the third hour (149±45 ng/g), whileCYCLOIL shows a maximum concentration of the cyclosporin of 53±16 ng/gafter the sixth hour.

As expected, the cyclosporin A concentrations in the lachrymal glandwhich are reported in Table 5 are distinctly lower than those obtainedin the conjunctiva and cornea, but still always exceed the limits ofsensitivity of the method (15 ng/g).

It can be seen above that the bioavailability of Formulation 3 of thepresent invention is much higher than that of CYCLOIL, and thecyclosporin A moreover is still present 24 hours after instillation,certainly at lower concentrations, but still measurable. The ratioAUC_(AN˜023)/AUC_(cycloil), which represents the ratio ofbioavailabilities, has a value of about three.

Cyclosporin A Concentrations in the Aqueous Humor

Table 6 shows the cyclosporin A concentrations (ng/g) in the aqueoushumor of rabbits treated with Formulation 3 of the present invention andwith oil-based CYCLOIL, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after instillation of50 μL into the conjunctival sac of both eyes.

TABLE 6 Formulation 3 CYCLOIL (invention) (comparison) concentration 1hour after 40 ± 12  12 ± 13 instillation (ng/g) concentration 3 hoursafter 41 ± 14 18 ± 7 instillation (ng/g) concentration 6 hours after 31± 8   22 ± 11 instillation (ng/g) concentration 12 hours 27 ± 9  16 ± 4after instillation (ng/g) concentration 24 hours 16 ± 5  14 ± 2 afterinstillation (ng/g) AUC₀₋₂₄ (ng g⁻¹ h⁻¹) 641 ± 14   390 ± 119 C_(max)(ng/g) 41 ± 14  22 ± 11 T_(max) (hours) 3 6

The maximum concentration of cyclosporin instilled as an aqueousformulation (Formulation 3 of the present invention) was revealed afterthe third hour (44±14 ng/mL), while for the oil-based emulsion CYCLOILthe maximum was revealed after the sixth hour (22±11 ng/mL).

The cyclosporin A concentrations in the aqueous humor of rabbits treatedby instillation of 50 μL with both of the formulations tested proved tobe relatively low as compared to the two tissues which constitute thesurface of the eye (cornea and conjunctiva). Yet for the aqueous humor,like for the other eye tissues, the bioavailability of the cyclosporinadministered as an aqueous formulation was higher than that instilled aswater-oil emulsion.

Evaluation of Tolerability

The tolerability of Formulation 3 of the present invention and ofCYCLOIL has been evaluated in conformity with a Draize test modified asdescribed previously.

Two groups of six animals, each comprising three male and three femalealbino rabbits from New Zealand, have been treated in the eye byperforming 12 instillations of 0.1 mL of the two formulations to betested, during six hours with 30 minute intervals.

The Draize test for evaluation of the tolerability has been realized 30min after the last instillation. After this test, 40 min after the lastinstillation, the fluorescein test was performed. The results of thesetwo tests are reported in Tables 7 and 8.

In the following Table 7, the degrees of reddening of the conjunctiva ofrabbits treated with Formulation 3 of the present invention and withCYCLOIL by instillation into the right eye are reported in conformitywith the Draize test. The reddening has been evaluated according to anarbitrary scale. The treatment was performed 12 times with 30-minuteintervals. The evaluation occurred 30 min after the last instillation.

TABLE 7 Degree of reddening Rabbit No. Sex Formulation of theconjunctiva 1 M 3 0 2 M 3 1 3 M 3 1 4 F 3 0 5 F 3 0 6 F 3 0 Average 0.33± 0.52 Frequency 2/6 7 M CYCLOIL 1 8 M CYCLOIL 1 9 M CYCLOIL 2 10  FCYCLOIL 1 11  F CYCLOIL 1 12  F CYCLOIL 0 Average 1.00 ± 0.63 Frequency5/6

It can be seen that Formulation 3 of the present invention has given areddening in only two of six cases, with a certain hyperemia in thecentral region, while the oil-based CYCLOIL showed a frequency of fiveout of six rabbits. With CYCLOIL the degree of reddening was weak forfour rabbits, but one hour after the last instillation, one rabbitexhibited a diffuse hyperemia of crimson red color where the individualvessels were hard to distinguish.

None of the rabbits exhibited an edema or higher than normal secretionof the conjunctiva.

The following Table 8 reports the degrees of hyperemia of the iris ofrabbits treated with Formulation 3 of the present invention and withCYCLOIL by instillation into the right eye. The iris hyperemia wasevaluated with the aid of an arbitrary scale. The treatment wasadministered 12 times with 30-minute intervals. The evaluation occurred30 min after the last instillation.

TABLE 8 Degree of Rabbit No. Sex Formulation iris hyperemia 1 M 3 0 2 M3 0 3 M 3 1 4 F 3 0 5 F 3 0 6 F 3 0 Average 0.17 ± 0.41 Frequency 1/6 7M CYCLOIL 0 8 M CYCLOIL 1 9 M CYCLOIL 1 10  F CYCLOIL 0 11  F CYCLOIL 112  F CYCLOIL 0 Average 0.50 ± 0.55 Frequency 3/6

Only one rabbit of the group treated with Formulation 3 of the presentinvention showed a very slight hyperemia at the secondary iris vesselsand not at the tertiary vessels.

The frequency of this very light type of hyperemia has been three out ofsix in the group treated with CYCLOIL.

Table 9 below reports the degrees of opacity of the cornea of rabbitstreated with Formulation 3 according to the invention and with CYCLOIL,instilled into the right eye. The opacity was evaluated according to anarbitrary scale. The treatment was administered 12 times with 30-minuteintervals. The evaluation occurred 30 min after the last instillation.

TABLE 9 Degree of opacity Rabbit No. Sex Formulation of the cornea 1 M 30 2 M 3 0 3 M 3 0 4 F 3 0 5 F 3 0 6 F 3 0 Average 0 Frequency 0/6 7 MCYCLOIL 0 8 M CYCLOIL 0 9 M CYCLOIL 1 10  F CYCLOIL 0 11  F CYCLOIL 012  F CYCLOIL 0 Average 0.17 ± 0.41 Frequency 1/6

Only one rabbit of the group treated with CYCLOIL showed a region ofdispersed opacity of the cornea, which was however such as to still havegood visibility of the iris.

Table 10 below reports the degree of fluorescein absorption in thecorneal epithelium of rabbits treated with Formulation 3 according tothe invention and with CYCLOIL instilled into the right eye. Theabsorption was evaluated on an arbitrary scale. The treatment wasadministered 12 times with 30-minute intervals. The evaluation occurred40 min after the last instillation.

TABLE 10 Rabbit No. Sex Formulation Degree of fluorescein absorption 1 M3 0 2 M 3 1 3 M 3 0 4 F 3 0 5 F 3 1 6 F 3 0 Average 0.33 ± 0.52Frequency 2/6 7 M CYCLOIL 0 8 M CYCLOIL 1 9 M CYCLOIL 2 10  F CYCLOIL 111  F CYCLOIL 0 12  F CYCLOIL 0 Average 0.67 ± 0.82 Frequency 3/6

It can be seen above that Formulation 3 of the present invention is inalso better tolerated in the fluororescein test. Actually three corneasof the group treated with CYCLOIL had absorbed fluorescein, one ofwhich, the rabbit No. 9, exhibited accentuated fluorescent spots, eventhough the structures of the various tissues could still bedistinguished, albeit with a loss of detail, if proper illumination wasused.

Only two of the six rabbits treated with Formulation 3 of the presentinvention exhibited rare, small fluorescent spots, but no coloration wasvisible around the outer edge of the pupil. The above results thusclearly demonstrate that the aqueous formulation according to thepresent invention proves, not only better tolerated but also more highlybioavailable than an oil-water emulsion on the basis of castor oil,Tween 80 (polysorbate 80), glycerol, and Pemulen® TR-2 (CYCLOIL).

What is claimed is:
 1. Topical ophthalmic formulation in the form of anaqueous solution comprising a cyclosporin, hyaluronic acid or one of itssalts, and polysorbate
 80. 2. Formulation according to claim 1,comprising 0.02 to 2% by weight of cyclosporin, 0.01 to 2% by weight ofhyaluronic acid or one of its salts, and 0.5 to 40% by weight ofpolysorbate 80, based on the formulation's total weight.
 3. Formulationaccording to claim 1, wherein the cyclosporin is a cyclosporin A. 4.Formulation according to claim 1, wherein the hyaluronic acid or itssalt has a weight-average molecular weight not inferior to 1,300,000daltons.
 5. Formulation according to claim 4, wherein the hyaluronicacid or its salt has a weight-average molecular weight situated in theregion from 1,300,000 to 3,000,000 daltons.
 6. Formulation according toclaim 1, wherein the hyaluronic acid is present as alkali metal oralkaline-earth metal hyaluronate.
 7. Formulation according to claim 6,wherein the hyaluronic acid is present as sodium hyaluronate. 8.Formulation according to claim 2, comprising 0.2% by weight ofcyclosporin A, 0.1% by weight of hyaluronic acid or one of its salts,and 5% by weight of polysorbate 80, based on the formulation's totalweight.
 9. Formulation according to claim 1, further comprisingadditives.